diff --git a/ArduPlane/system.cpp b/ArduPlane/system.cpp
index 7412f8094f..fcb2cce82f 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/system.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/system.cpp
@@ -168,7 +168,9 @@ void Plane::init_ardupilot()
     if (g.compass_enabled==true) {
         bool compass_ok = compass.init() && compass.read();
 #if HIL_SUPPORT
+    if (!is_zero(g.hil_mode)) {
         compass_ok = true;
+    }
 #endif
         if (!compass_ok) {
             cliSerial->println("Compass initialisation failed!");